I bet, like me, you started off thinking, “This is just the flu and what is all the fuss about?” Well, if you did think that then it is time for us to have a chat. I am not about to freak out and tell you to buy a facemask, put on rubber gloves and put a paper bag on your head. Of course, it is imperative we take precautions, but perhaps more important is a sense of perspective.
News about the coronavirus that spread from Wuhan in China has increasingly made headlines and filled our news, radio and media with scary stories and worrying threats. It seems like this is the only thing people are talking about. But as your resident life coach, I am here to caution you against panic.
For a start, the fact that more people die of tuberculosis each day – and of air pollution every five hours – than have succumbed in two months of Covid-19 should settle your nerves.
But… if you are eaten up with anxiety about this, first ask yourself about the anxious thoughts you are having: are they actually true? Are they helpful to you? The likely answer to both those questions is no. So worrying is not serving you well.
Panicking about something that you don’t have control over is pretty pointless. I am also a believer that the more you worry, the more your body stresses out, which is not a good idea if you want to keep your immune system strong. Stress does terrible things to the immune system. So step one is: please, calm down.
How? Well, first it is important to get your mind right – to really think about what you are thinking about, to become conscious and aware about what you are allowing to go through your mind. If you are choosing to think about this virus in a way that creates fear and worry, it is time to get your thoughts down on paper and ask yourself: are thoughts working for you or against you? Ask yourself if the thoughts you are thinking is something you would say to a friend? Likely not.
Secondly, you need to understand that we really do know a lot about this virus, which is a good thing, because information is power. We know that the situation is improving in China, that 80 per cent of people who have it only have mild symptoms, that most people who get it do heal, and there are already vaccine prototypes. We also know a lot about the virus itself – that it only severely affects the elderly or people with current health issues. Knowing this means we can be extra careful as what to do or not do.
It might be an idea to start looking at Covid-19 as a good thing. Why? Because more people are taking care of their personal hygiene; more people are aware that money, surfaces and hand shaking can create germs; and because people are using their minds more to take care of themselves and others. I am seeing more people use tissues when they sneeze, washing their hands more, and much less spitting in the street: we have a more collective consciousness about how to properly behave in society. Harsh, but true.
I want to leave you with this fact: the 1918 flu pandemic caused more than 25 million deaths in less than 25 weeks. It is 2020 and we have never been better prepared to fight this.
So take a deep breath, calm yourself, analyse your thoughts and take control of your fears. It’s all good.
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How To Take Control Of Your Coronavirus Anxiety
How to take control of your coronavirus anxiety
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